June 2016 Events in Denver, CO: Live in Wellness

What is wellness? The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as "a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential." At Juniper we believe in fostering this definition of wellness everyday by offering programs and services that help our residents achieve their full potential. As we wind down our Healthy Aging series, this month we focus on Food by highlighting our H’Art and Soul of Dining Signature Program.

Throughout our lives the most important discussions, revelations, decisions and announcements have transpired around the dinner table. When company came over we caught up on the latest gossip over coffee and fresh baked goods. If you needed advice from your parents, it was often given while enjoying Mom’s delicious pot roast on a Sunday evening. Why should that be any different when you enter your retirement years in one of our communities?

With the kitchen often being the heart of the home, we have developed H’Art and Soul of Dining with this in mind. This program strives to impart spirited service, companionship and nourishment through sharing the joy of good food – just like home! Our dining program is designed to not only meet resident’s physical needs, but their emotional and social needs as well. We believe this program provides a perfect balance of nutritious and delicious food choices, comfortable atmosphere and ambiance, social interaction, cleanliness and a spirit of service.

Indulge with us this month as we focus on the “heart” of the home with program offerings centered on food and nutrition such as our hydration program with healthy snacks and juices and educational presentations by a dietitian. Join us in June as we Live in Wellness.

Our fabulous June 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center include our:

§  Spearly Sidekicks Salsa Showdown tasty culinary event held in our Country Store because salsa is rich in vitamins and very flavorful, and it can be a healthy snack, or accompany several main dishes, so friends, family and Partners in Caring are invited to taste a variety of salsas and vote for the best one on June 17th at 2:30 pm.

§  Father’s Day Luncheon as Michael Jordan once said, “My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do; you never know what you can accomplish until you try,” so please join us in our Main Dining Room as we pay tribute with family, friends and community neighbors to wise and amazing fathers everywhere on June 19th at noon.

§  Live In Wellness BBQ as your Spearly family would like to invite friends, family and community neighbors to enjoy the outdoors, mingle with friends, and feast on grilled favorites, and a special invitation is extended to our first responders for a quick bite on the go, so meet us on the sunny Outdoor Patio for great food, great friends, and a great day on June 24th at 11:00 am.

We look forward to sharing our June 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center with you as you Live in Wellness.

May 2016 Events in Denver, CO: Grow Strong Daily

We all know that regular physical activity is great for overall health. But do we all understand the dangers in being inactive? Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyles are risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't happen just because they've aged. It's usually because they're not active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses. In recognition of those facts, Juniper nurtures wellbeing by encouraging an active body, an engaged mind and a fulfilled spirit through our innovative Signature Programs such as Connect4Life, Connections and H’Art and Soul of Dining.

We continue our Healthy Aging Series with a focus on Fitness. In the wise words of J.R.R., Tolkien, "All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost." This month we will Grow Strong Daily so as to not wither, but to thrive as we develop strength in bodies, minds and spirits.

This month we invite you to join us as we Grow Strong Daily with activities such as our Daily Brain Builders, Wii, and our Brain Healthy Luncheon. We also invite you to expand your knowledge in our Healthy Aging Library.

Our fabulous May 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center include our:

§  Grow Strong Daily Fitness because maintaining a healthy lifestyle for every resident is the goal of the Spearly community, please join us as we host a mini fitness fair, with prizes to be won as residents take part in group and individual exercises, healthy body trivia, and other events, and we welcome our friends, first responders and neighboring communities to this fun and educational event on our sunny Juniper patio on May 8^th from 10:00 am to noon.

§  National Alliance for Mental Illness a wonderful opportunity to show your support for mental illness while enjoying a nice leisurely walk, and Team Spearly will have a booth to showcase our wonderful community and the residents we serve, so you will also have the opportunity to network with our Partners in Health Care, and light refreshments will be served after the walk that will be held in Centennial, Colorado on May 16^th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

§  Memorial Day BBQ Remembering Our Heroes as we invite family and friends to share this memorable occasion, as we remember our men and women who have served in the Armed Forces with entertainment provided by Dave Hidalgo on our sunny Juniper patio and a variety of grilled favorites served, there will be something for everyone, so we hope you can join us to mix and mingle with friends on May 25^th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

We look forward to sharing our May 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center with you as you Grow Strong Daily.

Is It Magic, Or Is It Science…

On April 28^th, The Spearly Center hosted an educational event called Spin, Pop, Boom! presented by Mad Science of Colorado. The exciting world of chemistry was demonstrated as  residents, staff and family members witnessed amazing chemical reactions, acids vs. bases, Didgeridoo tubes, foaming hands and color changing liquids.  Everyone enjoyed the magic (but it really was science at work!) The audience was amazed when the Mad Scientist was able to defy gravity in this energetic and spectacular special event.

Mad Science delivers unique, hands-on science experiences that are as entertaining as they are educational. They have brought science education to millions throughout the world for over 25 years through highly-interactive, action-packed presentations. Their fascinating science demonstrations are popular with all ages and our Spearly audience was no exception. We were proud to partner with Mad Science on this explosive educational event and look forward to another close encounter!

Spearly Center Restorative Gym Gets An Extreme Makeover

The Spearly Center and Genesis Rehabilitation Services teamed up to participate in a nationwide contest called Extreme Makeover Rehab Edition.  Prizes for winners include enhanced therapy equipment, gift certificates and lunch.  This was a collaborative effort between Genesis, Restorative Nursing, Administration, Environmental Services and the Connections departments.  The new gym boasts improved open area organization with less clutter and an inviting and motivating facelift, promoting optimum functionality.  Many Spearly residents have stated, “The gym looks bigger,” and “This room makes me want to exercise.”  New additions to the improved gym include new wall colors, artwork, posted schedules for therapeutic groups, and a Celebration Success Stories board.  Stop by and check it out! 

2015 Successful Outcomes

April 2016 Events in Denver, CO: Believe in Yourself

Do you know that embracing a healthy lifestyle promotes brain health as well? This month we embark on our quarterly Alive in All Season theme of Healthy Aging: Let Wellbeing Thrive. Throughout April we will focus on brain health and encouraging you to Believe in Yourself. We will learn more about how physical health and exercise, diet and nutrition, cognitive activity, and social engagement can help keep both your body and brain healthy and potentially reduce your risk of cognitive decline. At the 2014 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, results of a two-year clinical trial of older adults at risk for cognitive impairment showed that a combination of physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors slowed cognitive decline. It’s never too late to make changes to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Join us this month as we expand our knowledge of brain health and take steps to boost our brain health through our Healthy Brain series featuring our Daily Brain Builders and Wii Games designed to promote cognitive activity. Continue your research by perusing our Healthy Aging Resource Library, filled with volumes of information to help you and your loved ones age well. And, don’t forget to join us for our Brain Healthy Luncheon where we will nourish mind, body and soul. We look forward to sharing this month of healthful thinking and encouragement to Believe in Yourself – you can do this!

Our fabulous April 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center include our:

§  Food For Thought Brain Healthy Luncheon because keeping your brain healthy and fit is just as important as keeping your body healthy and fit, and along with cognitive activities, eating certain foods like berries, fish and nuts can aid in nourishing the brain, family, friends and Partners in Caring are cordially invited to dine with us for a brain healthy meal in our Main Dining Room on April 15th at noon.

§  Spearly Sidekicks Earth Day Extravaganza as Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 to demonstrate support for the environment we live in and continues to be celebrated today worldwide in over 192 countries, so join us as we give thanks to mother Earth on this joyous occasion in our Country Store, as refreshments will be served, and family, friends and community members are welcome to attend on April 22nd at 2:30 pm.

§  Mad Science Presents Spin, Pop, Boom with an organization that teaches and demonstrates the wonders of science, and you will be amazed when the Mad Scientist is able to defy gravity in this energetic and spectacular hands-on presentation, as community neighbors, Partners in Caring, friends and family are welcome to attend this fascinating lesson about chemistry on April 28th at 11:00 am.

We look forward to sharing our April 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center with you as you Believe in Yourself.

March 2016 Events in Denver, CO: Your Treasure is Within

As we bring down the curtain on our Creative Expressions series we focus this month on Drama. Juliette Binoche said, “I think acting is about forgetting yourself in order to give the best of yourself. It's passing through you more than you're creating it. You're not the flower, but the vase which holds the flower.”

Through dramatic performance we are able to forget about ourselves while becoming someone else, if only for a moment. We can be transported to another time, another place and another way of thinking. With all of our inhibitions set aside we focus this month on breaking out of our shells to share a bit of ourselves with wild abandon through our weekly drama clubs which will culminate in a fantastic performance or reading of dramatic prose. We invite you to join us in this enlightening journey of self-discovery through the magic of theater this month. We will also be attending theatrical performances around town, where we can let our inner critic loose. One last opportunity to become someone else is offered during our Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, where everyone can be Irish for the day. Join us as we feast on traditional Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, shepherd’s pie and more! Lastly, March would not be complete without honoring the dramatic achievements of others with our own Oscar Party. This month we invite you to let your inner star shine at Juniper Village.

Our fabulous March 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center include our:

§  Celtic Pride St. Patrick’s Day Social as Celtic Pride and the Luck of the Irish are in the air, friends, family and our Greater Denver community are invited to partake in this festive celebration to dine on tasty green treats and mix and mingle with our dear Spearly residents while traditional Celtic music will provided and door prizes will be awarded, and don’t forget to wear green on March 17^th at 2:30 pm.

§  Spring Is In The Air 1^st Day of Spring Fling since spring is a magical time of year as flowers and trees are awakening from winter, the weather is becoming warmer, and people become more active, so what better way to celebrate the spring equinox than to celebrate with The Spearly Center as friends, family, and community members are invited to celebrate this festive and meaningful day with yogurt Fruit Parfaits and assorted beverages served in our Country Store on March 20^th at 2:30 pm.

§  Easter Celebration Luncheon because Easter is a traditional holiday important to us all as for some, it holds a significant spiritual meaning, and for others, it’s a perfect time to relax and visit with family and friends, and this year’s Easter Celebration Luncheon will feature Honey Glazed Ham, Roast Beef, Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Zucchini and Lemon Meringue Pie, so family, friends and community neighbors are cordially invited to join us for this splendid meal in our Main Dining Room on March 27^th at noon.

We look forward to sharing our March 2016 events in Denver, CO at Juniper Village at The Spearly Center with you as Your Treasure is Within.